🔗 Share this article

Back when a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke about his snooker idol decades ago, he remarked "he invents shots … few competitors possess that ability".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His drive extends beyond winning matches encompassing redefining excellence in the sport.

Today, after three decades, he has surpassed the accomplishments of those he admired while competing in this week's UK Championship, a competition where he maintains the distinction of being the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan celebrates his 50th birthday.

At the elite level, for a single player of that age would be remarkable, yet his half-century means that three of the top six world players have entered their fifties.

The Welsh Potting Machine and John Higgins, similar to The Rocket became professionals over thirty years ago, similarly marked reaching fifty this year.

Yet, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in this sport. The seven-time world champion, who shares the record with O'Sullivan of seven world titles, claimed his final ranking event in his mid-thirties, while Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, came as an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, however, continue to resist declining. Here we explore how three veterans remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

For Steve Davis, now 68, the primary distinction across eras is psychological.

"I typically faulted my form when losing, instead of adjusting mentally," he stated. "It felt like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven otherwise. Everything is psychological… you can compete longer beyond predictions."

O'Sullivan's mindset has been influenced by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, with whom he's collaborated since 2011. During a recent film, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "How long can I play, to avoid uncertainty?"

"By fixating on years, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. If you want to win, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, mentioning recently that turning 50 "acceptable," noting: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I enjoy this life stage."

The Body

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, success still relies on physical traits usually benefiting younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness through running, yet difficult to avoid aging effects, such as vision decline, something Mark knows very well.

"I find it funny. I require glasses for everything: reading, medium distance, far shots," Mark stated this season.

The two-time world champion has contemplated vision correction but postponed it multiple times, most recently in November, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Williams might benefit from neuroplasticity, a psychological concept.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, explained that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

"All people, after thirty-five, maybe early 40s, experience the eye lens stiffening," she explained.

"However our minds adjust to challenges throughout life, including senior years.

"But, should eyesight isn't the issue, other physical aspects may fail."

"In time in precision sports, your body fails your mind," Steve noted.

"Your arm doesn't perform properly. The initial sign I felt involved while alignment was good, the speed was off.

"Shot strength becomes problematic with no easy fix. That will occur."

Ronnie's psychological training coincided with careful body management often stressing nutritional importance for his success.

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," commented an ex-winner. "He appears thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits lately, revealing this year he incorporates a pre-match meal, reportedly sustains energy during long sessions.

And while Higgins shed over three stone recently, attributing it to regular exercise, he now admits he regained it though intending home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The toughest aspect as you older is practice. That passion for snooker needs to continue," added another expert.

The veteran trio aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"But I believe that's natural," Higgins continued. "As you age, priorities shift."

John considered skipping some tournaments but is constrained due to points requirements, where tournament entries depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he explained. "It can harm mental health attempting to attend every tournament."

O'Sullivan, too has reduced his tournament appearances since relocating abroad. This event is his initial home tournament currently.

But none seem prepared to retire yet. Like in other sports where great competitors such as the tennis icons pushed each other to greater heights, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it makes others wonder why can't they?" said a pundit. "I believe they motivate one another."

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent major victory this year, O'Sullivan observed that new generation "need to improve despite my age with poor vision, arm issues and bad knees and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player won this year's world title, few competitors risen to control the tour. Exemplified by this season's results, where 11 different winners have taken initial tournaments.

Yet challenging when facing O'Sullivan, who possesses exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, remembered since his youth on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, you could immediately see," noted, watching the youngster potting balls quickly to win prizes like outdated technology.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that winning tournaments "isn't everything."

However, he implied in the past that droughts fuel his motivation.

It's been nearly two years since a tournament win, yet legends think this birthday could motivate O'Sullivan.

"Who knows that turning 50 provides the impetus he requires to show his skill," commented the veteran. "Everyone knows his genius, and he loves astonishing people.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the World Championship, it would amaze the crowd… Achieving that a historic feat."